Report: NHL To Las Vegas A "Done Deal..."

((HT: The Score))

After word of Victor Coleman wanting to be a part of the idea of Seattle getting an NHL franchise, there's now word trickling out of Vancouver that Vegas is already there.

In an article in the Vancouver Province newspaper, columnist Tony Gallagher has it pegged that some arena in town will be hosting a team sooner rather than later:

A new team close to the newly renamed Arizona squad and California’s big three is all but assured, the only question being when and with which other city. Or should that be plural?

With all the activity going on in the Seattle area in the last little bit it would be quite a stretch to imagine that much time and effort being spent by so many wealthy men being frittered away for nothing.

Adding two teams in the west to get to an even 32 makes sense- especially if the ECHL reorganization would lead to a 31-team league and the AHL would finally have it's true western division in the 2015-16 season. Also, moving the Florida Panthers to Quebec City to placate the Canadian fan base from all the American movement would also be a solid part of the equation with a teram hemorrhaging money and not getting their way when it comes to the new arena the owners are looking for at present.

The ECHL Wranglers have their niche, and there is a history of NHL games in Las Vegas dating back to 1991.
((HT: NHL Network))


There's simply too much money in place in Quebec with Quebecor Media and the pieces are there for all of this...

And another cash-in day for the National Hockey League...

Victor Coleman Now Paired With Chris Hansen For Seattle NHL Idea

((HT: KING-TV))

Chris Daniels has an update on the development of possible partners for Chris Hansen, his new arena in Seattle, and the idea of bringing a new hockey franchise to the city of Seattle.

Vancouver-based real estate magnate Victor Coleman has apparently signed a "non-binding" (translation: no cash changing hands publicly) agreement on the South Downtown area that Hansen wants to put an arena in for his NBA franchise that he wants to bring to town-that he doesn't have yet.

Coleman was part of the gaggle of city leaders that met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Bill Daly secretly to talk about the Seattle destination for any hockey franchise that wants to relocate.

Are you listening Phoenix...???

Coleman has even put ideas about revenue streams on paper for Hansen to look at...

Here's the latest from Daniels on Coleman
The team that is playing at Jobing.com/Gila River Casinos Arena is on a very short leash with its owners at present with no end of money hemorrhaging- at present.

The folks down on Glendale need to pay serious attention to all that's going on up there as they get closer to solutions for bringing a team to Seattle and creating a natural rivalry with Vancouver- Coleman's home base...

Gretzky Trying To Bring Hockey To Seattle...???

According to the New York Post, he is...

In an article by Larry Brooks and Josh Kosman, they say that he is a party in one of three groups trying to get a team into town.

But, remember, Commissioner Gary Bettman is in no mood to expand.
So, that means that a franchise like San Jose (looking for a new barn) or Arizona (in need of any kind of financial stability still) are under the looking glass from this moment forward.

That way, the geographic balance won't be upset- until the National Hockey League ultimately decides to expand...

Chris Hansen has said he won't put any kind of weight behind building his new arena that he is accumulating property for in South Downtown Seattle unless an NBA franchise is ready to be brought to town.

Chris Daniels had the story back in May about one of the groups that might be chasing an NHL franchise- led by Victor Coleman- that met with the mayor of Seattle.
Sportsnet's John Shannon had contact with those aligned with any Gretzky effort- from his Twitter: Gretzky source tells Sportsnet: "Potential ownership groups have reached out, but we certainly haven't aligned with anyone"
The HQ recalls just how involved Gretzky was with the Coyotes franchise, and it makes sense that his name would be attached to activities out west again.

More On Bettman's Visit To Seattle, Phoenix Already On The Clock...??? (UPDATED W/Prospective Owners)

((HT: KING-TV))

Chris Daniels broke the news about the Gary Bettman-Bill Daly visit to Seattle last week and now there's a bit of an update...

Here's Daniels original salvo


Now, in a series of Tweets, Daniels has a little more info...

NEW: Seattle Mayor Ed Murray tells me #NHL initiated last wk’s meeting, & asked city to alter #SeattleArena MOU. Murray says he told them No 

MORE: Mayor Murray says he believes the Seattle City Council has no interest in changing MOU, said he brought up Key Arena. 

Seattle Council President Tim Burgess reiterated that he believes #SeattleArena won’t work with an #NHL first scenario.

The HQ's feelings here are that they're trying to find a quick home for somebody if something falls down. Phoenix makes the most sense with the attendance out that the LeBlanc group has. But keep an eye on the Florida Panthers and their wont to have the city pony up to $60-million for improvements to their arena in the town of Sunrise.

What makes the most sense over time is Phoenix slides up to Seattle and Florida will go to Quebec City- but that's just us thinking out loud now...

PM UPDATE: The Score, reporting Daniels again, has the proposed ownership group all figured out.

Victor Coleman and Jonathan Glaser are thought to be the driving force behind the bid. Coleman is CEO of Hudson Pacific Properties, which owns a long list of properties in and around Seattle.

Coleman and Glaser, along with Jeff Marks, met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly.

So, there you go... now we know... and we also know they're very serious in Seattle...